With the BMW M3 E30, the BMW Youtube Channels starts a five part series about the best-selling model of BMW M. The BMW M3 of the first generation is a legend. It influenced all following M3 generations.
Based on the 1986 model year E30 3 Series, the first M3 was introduced with a 2.3 L I4 S14B23 engine producing 192 horsepower. The engine design was based on various BMW genealogy; basic block layout from the M10 4 cylinder (found in the 2002 and 320 series) overbored and reinforced to similar specifications of the BMW M88 inline-6.
When the E30 M3 was in its final years of top level competition, the 2.5 liter S14 engine in full race trim was capable of over 340 hp (250 kW) naturally aspirated.
The E30 M3, arguably a motoring icon of the sports car world, has a near perfect weight distribution with a slight bias towards the front-end, leaving the rear-end to drift out perfectly with a slight lean on the throttle.
The heavenly mechanical noises coming from the S14 engine is all the excuse a true gear head needs to pull out the stereo.
See BMW insiders give a look behind the scenes of the development of this powerful sports car.
